Breech-loading ordnance



(No Model.)

H. F..MANN. BREEGH LOADING ORDNANOE.

TteTed May 9, 1882.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(Nq Model'z) H. P. MANN. BREBGH LOADING ORDNANGE.

I! l atentea May 9, 1882.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

HENRY F. MANN, OF PlTTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

BREECH-LOADlNG ORDNANCE.

,' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 257,823, dated May 9, 1882.

Application filed April 17, 1882. (No model.) Patented in England December 10, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY F. MANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsbnrg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading Ordnanee, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gun embodying my invention, the breech being closed as in position for firing. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the breech being open as in position for loading.

. Like letters of reference refer to like parts where they occur.

The object of my invention is to so construct and mount breech-loading ordnance that the strain upon the barrel due to the fired charge shall be reduced and its endurance proportionately increased. This I accomplish by disconnecting the barrel and breech-block, and so mounting the parts upon side straps pivoted on a carriage that the barrel is subjected only to lateral or transverse strain due to the fired charge and the heat developed, while the 1011 gitudinal strain is transmitted by the breechblock, breech-screw, and transom or crosshead to the side straps.

A further object is to facilitate the opening and closing the breech, so as to enable the gun to be fired easily and rapidly, and at the same time so mount the gun in relation to its entire mass upon a suitable carriage that the desired degree of elevation or depression to position for being fired may be secured by the use of the minimum amount of force. This I accomplish by pivoting the barrel upon its trunnions at or near its center of gravity in the forward end of the side straps, and providin g separate trunnions formed on the side straps, upon which trunnions the entire gun is mounted at or near its center of gravity upon a carriage.

I will now proceed to describe my invention more specifically, so that others skilled in the art to which it appertains may apply the same.

A indicates the barrel of the gun, the bore of which extends from end to end, and may be chambered and rifled in any approved manner, and the barrel is provided with trunnions B,by which it is pivoted upon the side straps, G, at or near its center of gravity, so that it may be easily tilted to expose the bore for loading and again brought into the proper position for firing.

0 indicates the side straps, which resist the longitudinal strain due to the fired charge, and upon which the barrel Ais pivoted. These side straps are connected at their rear ends by a transom or crosshead, D, through which passes the breech-screw F, and are provided with trunnions S, upon which they are mounted upon a carriage.

Between the rear end of the barrel A and the forward part of the transom or cross head l) is arranged a breech-block, H, the front concave surface of which corresponds with the convex surface of the rear end of the barrel A, and has sufficient longitudinal play when not forced against the barrel by the breechscrew F to permit the free opening and closin g of 'the barrel and obviate also any bad effects from the expansion of the metal or fouling of the surfaces.

I may here state that it is proposed to use gas-checks of any of the several known classes or of approved construction to prevent any escape of gas at the joint between the rear end of the barrel. and front face of the breechblock.

A portion of the upper part of the breechblock H is cut away, as shown, to facilitate the introduction of the projectile and charge into the bore of the barrel, as well as to reduce the required movement of the pivoted barrel.

A toothed rack may be attach ed to or formed on the face of the rear end of the barrel, into which a pinion on a shaft passingthrough the breech-block and journaled in the side straps may mesh for the purpose of tilting the barrel to open and close the bore, the said shaft being provided with crank-handle, by which it is operated. Other suitable known devices may be employed for tilting the barrel to open and close the bore.

A saddle or cross-piece, K, is attached to the under side of the side straps, 0, upon which the rear end of the barrel rests when in position for firing, a slotted link, L, being pivoted to the under side of the barrel and so connected to the saddle as to limit the upward movement of the barrel to the desired position when opened for loading.

The breech-screw F is operated by lever M. 5 The gun may be fired through a vent-hole made through the barrel or through thebreechblock, as may be desired.

vA more full illustration and description of the detail parts for opening and closing the 10 breech and operating the gun may be found by reference to my application for Letters Patent for improvements in breech-loading ordnance filed March 2, 1882, and I will here state that this is the separate application referred 15 to in connection with that application.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

ln breech-loading ordnance, the combination, with the barrel, of side straps attached 20 to the breech-block and pivoted on a carriage, the barrel being pivoted on the side straps by separate trunnions, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

HENRY F. MANN.

Witnesses: 0. A. NEALE 1 W. BITTER, Jr. 

